Habitat Conservation Plans

Suppose you want to build a new hotel on the perfect plot of land on the outskirts of town. After investigation of the site you learn to your dismay that there are several federally listed species that would be negatively affected by your development. You find out that if you were hurt or harass any animal, it would count as a take, which is illegal.

In order to proceed with your project, you will need to acquire an incidental take permit, which requires the preparation of a habitat conservation plan.

In this course you will learn the following: regulatory background and requirements for a Habitat Conservation Plan; developing a description of the proposed project; determination of the biological resources that are affected; developing a take assessment; using Habitat Suitability Indexes to determine the effects of the take; developing a conservation program to minimize or mitigate the effects of the tale; reviewing alternatives for minimizing or mitigating effects; creating a conservation implementation plan and developing a HCP report.